Samuel Johnson:
CLASS OF 1992
Chattahoochee High SchoolClass of 1992
Alpharetta, GA
University of TennesseeClass of 1998
Knoxville, TN
Samuel's Story
Life
From 1993 through 1998, I attended the University of Tennessee off and on. When I wasn't in school, I was working as a freelance theatrical lighting and sound designer, as well as a technical director. I have been recognized twice for lighting design and once for sound design. In 1997, the University of Tennessee Department of Theatre hired me as the interim sound designer for the Clarence Brown Theater. In that position I had the opportunity to teach at a college level. Alternately, I have also taught at a high school level as a guest instuctor.
In December of 1998, I joined the Army. My primary job was as a Cannoneer for a M109A6 Paladin equiped 155mm self-propelled field artillery battalion in direct support of a fully mechanized cavalry brigade with a world wide contengency mission. In three years I was assigned to Fort Hood, I have deployed three times to the National Training Center in California, which is a live fire training area larger than Rhode Island, and one real world deployment for Operation Desert Spring in Kuwait; maintaing the no-fly zone, enforcing interational boundries, and reaffirming our nation's commitment to the stabalization of South West Asia.
In 2002 I reenlisted for another term of service and will be reclassified my job to become a Satellite Communications Systems Specialist.
In 2003, I was assigned to Camp Doha, Kuwait where I provided theater wide direct communications support to the units involved in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. I also designed a course of instruction to cross-train other signal personnel to work as satellite communications operators at the request of the Deputy Commander of the Theater Signal Command which was put in to imediate implimentation.
In 2005, after 26 months in the desert, I returned to the States at Fort Bragg, NC. Since my return I have been training Soldiers, assisting in the reorganization of several Army units, and assisted in the deployment of several operations. Currently I am deployed to Suriname in South America on a humanitarian mission.
While in the Army, I have received the following awards:
Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (x3), Good Conduct Medal (x3), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal.
I am extremely proud of my service to this nation and feel that I have made a significant and positive impact of the soldiers in my command. Being in the Army has given my a whole new perspective on our country. I really enjoy teaching and am in a position to teach, train, and mold young soldiers to be, not only better soldiers, but also better on a personal level.
Currently I am married as of 21 January 2007. I am also continuing my education through college courses, as my schedule permits.
Military
Samuel B. Johnson enlisted in the US Army Delayed Entry Program on September 24, 1998.
He reported to Fort Sill, OK for One Station Unit Training (OSUT) MOS 13B (Field Artillery Cannon Crew) on December 30th, 1998. He was assigned to A Battery, 1st Battalion, 40th Field Artillery for training.
Upon completion of OSUT, PFC Johnson was assigned to B Battery, 2nd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery, 1st Cavalry Division, III Mobile Armored Corps, Fort Hood, TX in June 1999. While at Fort Hood, PFC Johnson deployed three times to the National Training Center (NTC) and once to Kuwa...Expand for more
it. He was promoted to Specialist on October 28, 2001.
SPC Johnson attended the III Mobile Armored Corps Noncommissioned Officer Academy for Primary Leadership Development Course (PLDC) in March 2002 and graduated in April 2002. On April 12, 2002 he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.
In June 2002, SGT Johnson reported to HQA Company 441st Signal Battalion, Fort Gordon, GA to re-class to MOS 31S (Satellite Communications Systems Operator/Maintainer). While in school, he was reassigned to HQA 551st Signal Battalion as part of the restructuring of the US Army Signal School. He graduated as the Distinguished Honor Graduate as a 31S2O7D in November 2002.
January 2003, SGT Johnson reported to the 385th Signal Company, 54th Signal Battalion, 11th Signal Brigade, at Camp Doha, Kuwait. The 385th Signal Company was realigned under the 504th Signal Battalion, 11th Signal Brigade, and directly attached to the 160th Signal Brigade, 335th Theater Signal Command (TSC). During his assignment he has deployed to Camp Udari and to Camp NAVISTAR. He has also provided direct forward support to elements of the 40th Signal Battalion, 504th Signal Battalion, 7th Signal Brigade, 160th Signal Brigade, 335th Theater Signal Command, elements of the USAF, and elements of the USMC. During this time he has served as a TACSAT Team Chief, TACSAT Section Sergeant, and as a TCF NCOIC. In October 2004, the MOS 31S was re-designated 25S. SGT Johnson also designed a program of instruction to cross train personnel MOS 25Q to operate as MOS 25S at the request of the Deputy Commander of the 335th Theater Signal Command (Forward), which was immediately approved for theater wide implementation.
March 2005, SGT Johnson reported to HHC 50th Signal Battalion (Airborne)(R)(P), 35th Signal Brigade (Airborne), XVIII Airborne Corps, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. On 1 July 2005 he has promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant. In January 2006, with the deactivation of HHC, 50th Signal Battalion (Airborne) (R)(P), SSG Johnson was reassigned to the 514th Signal Company (LRE), 327th Signal Battailion (Airborne) as a Section Sergeant in the Tactical Satellite I Platoon.
In March 2006, SSG Johnson attended the Regamental Noncommissioned Officer Acadamy, Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, MOS 25S, Phase II at Fort Gordon, GA. While attending school, he was reassigned to A Company, 327th Signal Battalion (Airborne) as part of the deactivation of the 514th Signal Company (LRE). In June of 2006, the 327th Signal Battalion (Airborne) was reflagged as the 50th Signal Battalion (Airborne). In February 2007, SSG Johnson was reasigned to B Company 50th Signal Battalion as the Satellite Operations NCO. In June 2008 SSG Johnson, and his team deployed to Suriname in support of American Humanitarian Aid Operations.
Operational credits include:
OPERATIONS DESERT SPRING, INTRENSIC ACTION, SOUTHERN WATCH, ENDURING FREEDOM, NOBLE EAGLE, and IRAQI FREEDOM.
Awards and Decorations:
Bronze Star Medal (BSM), Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM), Army Achievement Medal (AAM)(3), Army Good Conduct Medal (AGCM)(3), National Defense Service Medal(NDSM), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal(AFEM), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal(GWTEM), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal(GWTSM), Noncomissioned Officer Professional Developement Ribbon(NCOPDR)(2), Army Service Ribbon (ASR), Overseas Service Ribbon(OSR)(2), and the Drivers and Mechanics Badge with Wheel Bar.
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